Department of Environmental Studies
Until recently, natural scientists have responded to environmental problems by monitoring the damage and searching for environmentally-friendly technologies. However, experts have gradually come to understand that a favourable redirection of development depends on a fundamental change in lifestyle, which in turn can only result from a far-reaching reorientation of human values and from a fundamentally different understanding of man’s place in the world. More and more frequently, the Social Sciences are being called upon to help with the resolution of environmental problems.
Contacts
Masaryk University
Faculty of Social Studies
Department of Environmental Studies
Joštova 10, 602 00 Brno
Czech Republic
Fax.: +420 549 49 1920
E-mail: pantucko@fss.muni.cz
Offices: 3rd floor, rooms 3.11+
Head of the unit
Binka, Bohuslav, Mgr. Ph.D.
tel.: 549 49 3270 | e-mail: binka@fss.muni.cz | kancelář: 3.10
Secretary
Pantůčková, Dana
tel.: 549 49 3433 | e-mail: pantucko@fss.muni.cz | kancelář: 3.14
Additional Information
The purpose of “Environmental Humanities” is to understand (with a background of basic knowledge in the natural sciences) the historic and cultural causes of the environmental crisis and to look for possible solutions in the areas of social, economic, legal, political, and religious studies (and their interactions). Masaryk University offers a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies in combination with other programs in the Faculty of Social Studies: Gender Studies, International Relations, Politology, European Studies, Social Anthropology, Sociology, Social Politics and Social Work and some programs in the Faculty of Philosophy.
Environmental Humanities studies are provided also at the postgraduate (master’s degree) level. Students with a bachelor’s degree in the humanities or natural sciences can apply to study Environmental Humanities. Therefore courses are organised in such a way that students can gradually become acquainted with subject matter they did not study as undergraduates. Entering students with bachelor’s degrees in philosophy, sociology, history, law, economy or theology must demonstrate the necessary background in the natural sciences. Conversely, students who studied natural sciences or agricultural sciences at the undergraduate level must augment their knowledge in the social and humanities subjects. Three years of study are required to earn the Environmental Humanities Master’s degree.
A highly individual research-oriented PhD program is also available. Teaching for the program is organised by the Department of Environmental Studies, while the study field is listed under Sociology degree program.